Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion picks up centuries after the original 2019 game. Although factions share familiar names, their roles and conflicts have shifted dramatically. Humanity’s last defenders, the Reclaimers, now struggle on a decaying planet, while the Outers—genetically modified super-soldiers—reside in orbit. Players start as an Outer but are quickly cast out, leading to an uneasy alliance with the Reclaimers. The central narrative pits you against the Neun, an elite unit of Outer warriors.
The story is serviceable, with bursts of intrigue and occasional twists, but it struggles with pacing. Some late-game revelations feel rushed, and while the cast includes memorable personalities, development often comes too late to make a lasting impact. The voice work brings energy, yet stiff animations, awkward pauses in cutscenes, and repetitive combat chatter undercut its effectiveness.
Daemon x Machina Titanic Scion Gameplay
Where Titanic Scion truly shines is in its gameplay. The hulking mechs of the first game have been replaced by sleeker Arsenals, exosuit-style machines that emphasize mobility. With a quick button press, you can launch into the air almost anywhere, blending smooth animations with punchy audio design. Aerial freedom makes combat exhilarating, though it becomes cramped in underground facilities and cave networks where space is limited.
Combat is frequent and layered. Encounters usually involve strafing, dodging, and long-range gunfire, but depth comes from the wide arsenal of weapons and customization options:
- Firearms: Assault rifles, shotguns, snipers, miniguns, bazookas, and energy weapons, each with distinct feel and utility.
- Melee: Blades and hammers empowered by a Flinch system, letting players stagger foes for devastating follow-ups.
- Shoulder Weapons & Equipment: Cannons, missiles, railguns, and grenades add tactical variety.
- Armor Pieces: Helmets, vambraces, cuirasses, and greaves can be freely mixed and upgraded with attachments.
A standout feature is the Mutation system, earned by defeating massive Immortals. These mutations grant unique abilities and permanent buffs, creating a progression loop that constantly tempts players to experiment with new builds.
Boss Battles That Deliver
Titanic Scion’s high points come from its battles with the Neun and other boss enemies. Each encounter feels like a climactic test of skill, often requiring you to rethink your loadout. Abilities such as invisibility, turret control, or summoning Immortals keep fights dynamic, while anime-inspired designs give them a striking presence.
See also: How Skill Factors Work in Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion
Expanding the World
Unlike its predecessor’s mission-based approach, Titanic Scion introduces three open-world biomes. These environments are filled with patrolling enemies, rare loot caches, mining resources, and towering overworld bosses. Sovereign Axiom Facilities, essentially dungeon-like areas, offer high-stakes challenges but sometimes clash with the game’s fast combat due to their cramped layouts.
Online elements add subtle social features: supply bases built by other players, or recoverable bodies of fallen pilots offering consumables. Most of the game—including story missions—supports three-player co-op, giving the freedom to tackle objectives with friends.
The Reclaimer Base: Hub of Operations
Between sorties, the Reclaimer Base acts as your command center. Here you can forge gear, take missions, customize cosmetics, and even engage in side activities. Two highlights stand out:
- Overbullet, a strategic minigame that, while not on par with Gwent or Queen’s Blood, offers a refreshing diversion.
- The Coliseum, a set of one-on-one fights that distill combat into intense duels, perfect for testing new builds.
Cosmetic customization is especially deep, with paint, decals, and even a transmog system available from the start.
Technical Performance on Switch 2
While Titanic Scion is available across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2, the latter struggles most. The soundtrack—an energetic mix of techno and metal—stands out, but visuals and performance falter. Flat textures, muddy environments, disappearing projectiles, and frequent FPS dips hamper immersion. Long loading screens and occasional crashes further drag down the experience on Switch 2. Other platforms offer a smoother ride and are recommended for players who value stability.
Final Verdict
Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion successfully builds on its predecessor’s foundation. The combat loop, customization, and boss fights are where the game soars, offering a rewarding and replayable experience. Its open world is ambitious but uneven, and the narrative, while improved, still lacks the weight to match the gameplay. Performance issues on Switch 2 remain a major drawback, but on stronger platforms the game’s core shines through.
Pros
- Fluid and satisfying movement
- Deep customization and progression systems
- Exciting boss encounters
- Plenty of side content and co-op play
Cons
- Performance and visuals suffer on Switch 2
- Story pacing and character development are weak
- Underground exploration feels restrictive
Score: ★★★☆☆ (3.8/5) – A must-play for mech fans on the right platform, but Switch 2 owners may want to wait for patches. Play Now!
